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Abstract:

Chapter 1: A theory is put forward in which change in the level of cellular energy charge in response to the differing energy demands of the sleeping/waking rhythm is the fundamental reason why sleep is associated with restorative processes. Numerous reports from the literature are presented in which the time of sleep is associated with a higher rate of synthesis. Chapter 2: The literature is surveyed relating eating, sleeping and body maintenance. Hunger is associated with motor restlessless and feeding with sedation. Human studies indicate that a bedtime snack of milk and cereal promotes sleep. Losing weight leads to a reduction whereas gaining weight leads to an increased amount of sleep. Chapters 3 and 4: A milk and cereal food (Horlicks) had no effect on sleep, whereas nitrazepam 5mg improved sleep. Withdrawal from the drug led to disrupted sleep. A placebo pill had no effect on sleep. Nitrazepam had no significant effect on the plasma growth hormone, glucose, triglycerides or cholesterol, but prolonged Horlicks administration elevated triglyceride levels. The effects on sleep were compared among a placebo capsule, milk, Horlicks and a drink nutritionally equivalent to Horlicks but containing no milk or cereal. None of the three food drinks had any significant effect on sleep when compared with the inert capsule, but after Horlicks at bedtime, sleep was less broken than after the other two food drinks. The dietary habits of subjects were found to have a considerable influence on how they slept after food at bedtime. Chapters 8 and 9: Correlational analysis revealed that body weight, but not I.Q., was highly correlated with the mean amount of REM sleep. Chapter 10: It was also found that the mean sleep cycle length correlated with the degree of over or under-weight. Chapter 11: I attempt to answer questions raised by the findings described in earlier chapters. I tentatively propose a theory linking the maintenance of body weight, sleep cycle length and amounts of REM sleep.